Gradual Reduction of Coronary Blood Flow ("Acute Hibernation") Protect Diastolic and Metabolic Changes of "Stunning" Miocardium in Isolated Rabbit Heart

pp 241-247

Abstract

The end point was to demonstrate whether a period of low flow before stunning induction protect diastolic, sistolic and biochemical changes in the last entity. Isolated isovolumic rabbit hearts (Langendorff technique) were use for this study. In group I stunning was induced by 15' of ischemia followed by30' of reperfusion. In group II a global reduction in flow was induced before to repeat the protocol of group I. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), end diastolic left ventricular pressure(LVEDP, stiffnes), and t1/2(relaxation) were mea-sured. Effluent samples were taken to determinateCPK, LDH and lactate. There was not difference inLVDP between groups. However, clear difference was found in LVEDP since it increases significantly less in low flow group. Lactate and CPK had the same beneficial behavior. These data suggest that the heart with low flow shows a better diastolic and metabolic performance when ischemia is induced.Thus, the low flow factor plays a key role in the protection of stunning myocardium.